bowen



(No Model.) 5 sheets-sheen 1..

J. BOWEN.

GIDBB. MILL.

No. 494,544. i Patented Apr'. 4, 189s.

.THE Nanms versus co. mofuu'rno.. wmnsrou. o. c.

5 Shets-Sheet 3.- J. BWEN, GIDER MILL.

(No Model.)

Patented Apr. 4, 1893,

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ma NoRRls PETERS co.. mman-m0,. wAsmusTun. o. c4

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

J. BOWEN.

GIDER MILL.

Patented Apr. 4.18931.

(Nq Model.) 5 sheets-sheet 5.

JQBOWEN. GIDER MILL.

No. 494,544. Patented Apr. 4, 89'3.

TH: Nonms versus ca. FHoToMTHo.. WASHINGTON. D, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. f

JESSE BOWEN, OF LANCASTER, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO FRANK E. SHUE,OF SAME PLACE.

ClDER-MILL.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 494,544, dated April 4,1893. Application filed Tune 20, 1892. Serial No. 437,406- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern..v

Be it known that I, JESSE BOWEN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lancaster, in the county of Fairfield and State of Ohio,have invented a new and useful Cider-Mill, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to cider mills; and it has for its object toprovide an improved mill of this character adapted for milling the fruitand subsequently extracting the juice therefrom in a simple andeffective manner, while at the same time means are provided whereby themill only may be employed for cutting and slicing vegetables of anycharacter whatever.

To this end it 'is the main and primary object of the present inventionto provide a vmachine constructed with special reference to simplicity,ease of manipulation and effectiveness in its uses, while at the sametime a machine possessing superior advantages over similar mills in use,in which a thorough extraction of the juice from the pomace is notalways obtainable and in which theeider is liable to waste, whereas thepresent machine avoids these objections.

With these and many other objects in View which will readily appear tothose skilled in the art, the invention consistsin the novelconstruction, combination and' arrangement of parts hereinafter morefully described,illns trated and claimed. f

ln the drawings z-Figure l is a side elevation of a cider millconstructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a frontelevation of the same with the front cant board removed. Fig. 3 is avertical longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 4 is a similar view throughthe front end thereof when the machine is einployed for millingpurposes. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view. Fig. 6 is adetail in perspective of the cutting wheel. Fig. 7 is a similar view ofthe splitting lances. Fig. S is a similar view of the anged feedingboard. Fig. 9 is a detail plan view of the hopper. Fig. 10 is a detailin perspective of the front end of the carrier belt or apron. Fig. l1 isa detail sectional View of the cutting wheel on the line -x of Fig. 2.Fig. l2 is a detail View of the front cant board.

Referring to the drawings-:-A represents an open rectangular framecomprising the corner posts a, connected at their upper ends by thehorizontal side and end pieces of, the said side pieces being furtherprovided with 5 5 the projecting flanges a2 within which are inclosedthe top hopper box B. The said hopper box B removably rests upon the topof said frame and is provided atits rear side with the lug e, which isengaged by the notched 6o turn-buckle b', pivoted to the rear end of theframe.

The hopper box is of a size so that its front wall is in rear of thefront end of the frame, and is provided with the slantin'g bottom b2 65sloping to the front discharge opening b3, located in the front Wall andthe bottom back of the wall at one side of the center of the frame. Thedischarge opening b3, is inclosed by the depending sides h4 extendingfrom the 7o top` of the hopper inside of the same, to a point below thehopper so as to tit over the opposite edges ofthe inclined flat feedboard or plate O. The said feed board or plate is set at an angle withinthe top ofsaid frame and the discharge opening of the hopper, to directthe fruit or vegetables to `the cutting devices of the cutting wheel D,located in front of the same, and said plate or board is provided withthe raised parallel tapered feeding lianges c, 8o which tianges aretapered from the upper end of the plate to a point nearly flush with thesame near its lower end in front of the wheel, so that channelsarefformed in the plate which cause the material to pass directly to theknives without clogging and which also serve to hold the fruit orvegetable to its position until completely cut, a space being left belowthe lower terminals of the flanges for the fruit to spread out theentire Width of the plate or 9o board. Now it has been found that in rstgrinding or rasping the fruit before extracting the juice from the same,not only is considerable of the juice lost, but also some of the fruit,and that better results are secured by employing devices for splittingand slicing the fruit before the same is subjected to pressure betweenthe pressure rollers, so with this in view I employ the cutting wheel Dpreviously noted. The cutting wheel D is loroo cated directly in frontof the front wall of the hopper between the same and the front of thecasing, and is mounted upon the short horizontal shaft (Z journaled insuitable bearings in the front upper end of the frame, so as to supportthe wheel in vertical position in front of the hopper and allow theinner face thereof to travel in close proximity to the front dischargeopening of the hopper. The shaft CZ carries upon one end thereof withinthe casing the bevel pinion or gear d', meshing with a similar pinion orgear d2, keyed on the horizontal drive shaft E, which shaft is mountedin bearings at each side of the frame, and is provided at both ends withoperating crank handles c, while on one end the same carries the gearwheel e. A pinion e2 meshes with the gear wheel e', and communicatesmotion to the horizontal balance wheel shaft e3, journaled within theframe below the drive shaft E and carrying said pinion, while theopposite end thereof is provided with the large balance wheel e4 tolighten the gearing and render the machine easy to manipulate.

The cutting wheel D is provided with a series of two or more rectangularslots F, which are beveled as at f, to direct the split and sliced fruitor vegetables through the wheel and into the conveying devices arrangedbelow the same, and to form a continuation of the bevel of the cuttingor slicing knives or blades G. The knives G are made of spring metal andare secured at one edge to rear face of the wheel D back of the openingstherein by means of the screws g, which allow the knives to be easilyremoved and replaced when necessary, while the opposite edges of theknives or blades project beyond the beveled edges of the slots so as toslice the fruit as the said projecting edges pass in front of thedischarge opening of the hopper and said feeding board. The projectingedges of the knives or blades are beveled and tluted on one side as atg', so as to form a series of cutting teeth which easily penetrate thearticle being cut, while edged valleys are formed between each tooth,thus providing a knife having the beveled cutting edge, but which at thesame time is so constructed as to possess allthe qualities of a straightedge, while also to particularly provide an edge which will easily passthrough tough and fibrous fruit such as lemons or oranges, which astraight edge will not easily cut without sawing the same therethrough.The cutting edges of the knives or blades are adjusted to cut anydesired thickness of slices by means of the adjusting screws g2, passingthrough threaded perforations in the wheel from the front of the sameand having their inner ends working against the blades to adjust thesame with respect to the opposite edge of the slots facing the same,according tothe width of slice desired.

Intermediate of the main rectangular slots F, the cutting wheel D isfurther provided with the intermediate smaller slots g3, through whichare designed to project the series of splitting lances or knives H whichare secured in the removable knife blocks or strips 71 removably securedto the front face of the wheel by means of the securing screws h',passing through said slots and engaging the inner faces of the blocks orstrips. The lances or knives H are provided with beveled cutting edgesh2, and are arranged at equal distances apart from each other on theirblocks or strips, so that as the same pass through the fruit, the sameis split up into a number of equal sections to the depth of the lance orknife, while the cutting blades following, slice the split portion ofthe fruit. It will be readily seen that owing to the disposition of thesplitting lances between the slicing blades or knives that, as alreadystated,the said lances first split the fruit, which is subsequentlysliced by the nextblade following, and a number of small sections of thefruit pass through the main blade openings in the Wheel, and between thesame and the front of the frame, thus providing a perfect milling of thearticles, preparatory to pressing the same as contemplated by thisinvention, or using the split and sliced portions, where vegetables onlyare milled.

Extending across the frame below the lower end of the feed board anddirectly back of the lower half of the cutting wheel, is the rear chuteboard I, forming the rear wall of a mill chute inclosed at the front endof the machine by the front cant or inclined chute board or wall i. Thesaid cant board or chute wall is provided at its upper end with thesupporting flanges i', set atan angle to the board and resting on one ofthe upper frame pieces or supporting ledge t2 projecting from the frontend of the frame and supporting the board so that the same is supportedat an angle, and its lower edge projects within the frame below andtoward the lower edge of the rear chute board and the cutting wheel. Thecant board or chute walltis further provided with the beveled sidetongues 3, resting upon the back of the opposite supporting cleats t, secured to the front opposite corner upright frame pieces or posts a,thereby providing means for easilypremoving the board when a shorter oneis employed as will be hereinafter described, and said board is furtherprovided with the short opposite downwardly converging guard flanges t5,arranged to inclose the opposite lower edges of the cutting wheel andprevent the milled fruit or vegetables from scattering in passingthrough the chute. Now it will be seen that the split and sliced fruitpassing through the vertically arranged cutting wheel, necessarilypasses through the mill chute just described, and is directed by thecant board or chute wallz'and the [ianges thereof upon the front portionof the endless carrier apron or belt J, arranged within the frame andbelow said chute. The front portion of the carrier or apron projectsbeyond the chute and works over the front belt or apron roller j, havingthe journal ends or spindles thereof journaled in the opposite swingingadjusting and bearing arms j', and pro- IOO IIO

lposts of the frame.

jecting through the same, are adapted to rest or play in the notches 7'2in the front corner Said adjusting arms ,7" are loosely mounted at theirlower ends over each end of the gear shaft js, journaled in oppositesides of the frame and carrying the gear wheel j4, meshing `with thepinion j5,

lmounted upon one end of said roller to communicate motion to the apron.The arms j' extend to the front of the frame above the plane of thelower gear shaft js and work against opposite corner posts, and are adjusted to any set position by means of the adjusting pins K, engaging anyone of a series of perforations la in said posts, according to thetension of the apron desired. It will be seen that the arms j', areaxially adjustable with respect to the gear shaft over which they swing,and thus provide means, whereby the operating pinion thereof is alwaysin mesh with the gear wheel just noted.

Secured to each end of the front apron roller are the opposite sprocketwheels L, having inwardly beveled tongues l, which engage the slots inthe sprocket belts Z', which belts are so secured along the oppositeedges of the endless apron as to always hold the same in position uponthe said roller, and owing to the bevel of the sprocket tongues, tocorrect any disposition of the apron to slide off, while the apron isfurther held to the center of the roller by means of the auxiliary beltx secured around the center of the apron and working in the centralannular guide groove Z2 in said front roller. eling portion of theendless carrier or apron passes over the small rear belt roller M, whichholds the belt or at least leads the same to a point between the upperand lower pressure rollers N and N', respectively, as near as possibleto the point where the rollers contact with each other, and a portion ofthe belt as at m, is held up in close proximity to the lower portion ofthe upper pressure roller N, by means of the intermediate guide roller Ojournaled in opposite sides of the frame in front of the upper pressureroller and adjacent to the same, said guide roller being in a higherplane than the front or rear belt roller thus holding the top of theapron near the pressure rollers up into position noted. The rear apronroller is journaled at each end in one end of the horizontal springsupported bearing arms P, pivoted at their other ends to theintermediate vertical frame pieces p, and resting near their moving endsupon the supportingspringsp, which springs are seated in the notchedbrackets p2 also secured to said vertical frame pieces, while theelevated portion of the apron is held in sufficiently close proximity tothe upper pressure roller to allow the same to grasp the fruit before itreaches the lower roller, and at the same time the spring support forsuch end of the apron provides means whereby the same will readily yieldto an extra large piece of fruit, and permit the same to pass on betweenthe rollers The rear or inner travafter the fruit has been milled anddrops onto the front portion of the apron, as already described. Theapron carries the fruit up to the elevated portion m, iirst under theupper pressure roller N. The pressure roller N bites the fruit in theapron before it reaches the lower roller, and, with the apron, carriesthe same to said lower roller which it strikes at the very moment itleaves the apron, so that all the fruit must necessarily pass betweenthe rollers, .which completely extracts the cider therefrom and directsthe same toward the front of the machine and deposits the pomace at therear end as will be noted.

The lower pressure roller is constructed of either wood or iron asdesired and is fixedly mounted in suitable bearings n, at each side ofthe frame, and the same carries the large gear wheel n', meshing withthe intermediate gear wheeljt, which communicates motion to the vendlessapron as described, while the lower roller receives its motion from thegear 'a2 mounted upon the upper roller shaft. The upper roller isdriven,to communicate motion to the rest of the mill, as outlined, fromthe drive shaft, by the pinion n.3 mounted on said shaft and meshingwith the adjacent intermediate gear n4, upon the supplemental gear shafta5, and which in turn engages the gear wheel n2. The upper pressureroller is mounted so as to be in contact with thelower pressure rollerand directly above so that all the cider will pass to the front of bothrollers, which will be quite apparent, and the same is constructed ofany suitable material, preferably having a cloth facing ne in order toIOO allow the upper roller to be adjusted tight or loose upon the lowerroller. The lshaft n3 of said upper roller has the ends thereof projectthrough the side slots p2, in the intermediate frame pieces p3 andjournaled in the vertically adjustable bearing blocks Q, working intherein, and also with the guide recesses qs in the back of the platestoallow the bearing plates. or blocks Qv to freely move between'the slotsin the frame pieces and side plates. Said bearing plates or blocks areprovided with the bearing sleeves g4 projecting through the slots in theside plates, and which receive the lower ends of the springs R, restingthere on and inclosed within the tubular spring.

housings r, embracing the side plates above the sleevesqt and secured tothe frame of the machine. The housings r alsoaccom modate theslidingblocks r', working therein upon the upper ends of said springsand adjusted by means of the adjusting rods or screws r2, having lowerthreaded ends passing through IOS IIO

IZO

the flanges r3, at the upper ends of the side plates and provided withthreaded perforations r4, to receive said rods or screws, so it will bereadily seen that novel and efficient means are provided for the readyadjustment of the tension of the upper pressure roller to obtain therequisite pressure.

As the juice is pressed from the fruit the same passes from the lowerroller below the rear end of the apron over the trough board S and outat the front of the mill. The said trough board is provided at one endwith a projecting sheet metal collecting strip s, which being heldtightly against the lower roller collects all the cider and directs thesame upon the board, which is further provided with the conveying troughstrips s which direct the juice to a suitable vessel placed at the frontoi' the machine for its reception. The said board is further providedwith the notched fulcrum lugs s2, which bears under the gear shaft js,and when the outer end of the board is raised causes the collectingstrip to bear tightly against the lower roller. The outer end of thetrough board is held firmly in its fulcru med position by means of thesupporting bar T, pivoted at one end to one of the frame posts andadapted t-o be swung under the outer end of said board, and have itsother end removably rest in the notched supporting block t secured tothe opposite post.

The pomace is scraped from the rear sides of the pressure rollers, bymeans of the adjustable Scrapers V arranged against each roller, anddrops int-o the drawer or box o, removably fitted within the rear lowerend of the frame. Each of the Scrapers V is secured to the adjustableblocks u, having at their ends the slotted securing flanges u restingagainst the adjacent frame pieces and engaged by the adjusting screwsa2, passing through the slots in said flanges, and providing means foradjusting the scrapers to and from the rollers as desired or foundnecessary.

In the event of using the mili independently of the press devices tooperate the same as a vegetable cutter, I then dispense with the cantboard or front chute wall fi, and einploy a shorter wall V provided withthe beveled side tongues `v corresponding tothe side tongues t3 of themain front wall fr' of the chute and adapted to removably rest in thecleats fi" previously described, and said short wall V corresponding inall other details with said cant board. Now instead of directing thesplit and sliced fruit onto the apron, the same drops onto the board 'Warranged under the chute of the mill lying over the front receiving endof the apron. The said board W extends at an angle to the front of themachine and is provided near its inner end with the projecting side armsfw, adapted to rest back of the front corner posts and support the boardin position; said board being inclined, of course assumes the functionot' a conveyer to carry away the milled product,

the same as the endless apron. When not used in this capacity theinclined conveyer board IV lnay be supported horizontally beneath thetrough board upon the front supporting bar fw', and the opposite notchedblocks 'L02 secured to the opposite intermediate frame pieces, toreceive said arms W, and in this position may serve to catch any drip orwaste from the trough above.

Each of the corner posts a is provided with the squared openings X inwhich are placed the lifting handles Y to lift the machine from place toplace, and which when not in use may be slid within said openings andout of the way.

A weighted stop pawl Z, is pivotally secured within the trame of themachine and engages the large gear wheel of the upper pressure roller,and while allowing the upper and lower pressure rollers to revolve inopposite directions to pass the pomace into the box or drawerat the backend ofthe machine, the said pawl at the same time prevents the machinefrom running backward and reversing the correct movement of the variousparts of the rnill.

It is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages ofthe herein described cider mill are now apparent without furtherdescription Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is

I. In a cider mill, the combination of a frame having [ianged sidepieces, a hopper box removably seated inside of the flanges of said sidepieces and provided with a slanting bottom and a front discharge openingat the lowest point of said bottom and at one side of the center oftheframe, depending sides arranged inside of the hopper to inclose saidfront opening, and projecting below the plane of the bottom, a fiatinclined feed board arranged under the lower ends of said dependingsides and provided with a parallel series of raised tapered flangesforming intermediate feeding channels, said flanges being tapered fromthe upper end ofthe feed board to a point iiush with the same near itslower end to leave a spreading space, a cutting wheel mounted to rotatein close proximity to the lower end of said feed board, and conveyingdevices arranged under the wheel, substantially as set forth.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the frameand the hopper, having an opening in its front wall at one side of thecenter of the frame; of a vertical cutting wheel mounted to rotate infront of the hopper opening and provided with a series of enlargedrectangular slots, iuted spring metal cutting or slicing blades securedat one end to the body of the wheel and having their cutting edgesprojecting beyond one edge of said enlarged slots, means for adjustingthe cutting edges with respect to the slots, and a series ofintermediate beveled splitting IOO llO

lances removably clamped to the body of the wheel between the cuttingblades and adapted to travel in advance thereof, substantially as setforth.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the hopper,of the vertical cutting wheel mounted to rotate in front of said hopperand provided with an alternate series of large and small rectangularslots, blocks or strips removably secured to the face of the wheel andprovided with a series of regularly spaced splitting lances projectingthrough said smaller slots, a series of lluted spring slicing bladessecured to the wheel and projecting beyond the edges of the largerslots, and adjusting screws passing through the wheel and bearingagainst said blades, substantiall y as set forth. v

4. In a machine of the class described, the frame the removable hopperbox mounted at the top of said frame and provided with a dischargeopening in its front wall, a vertical cutting wheel mounted on the frameand adapted to rotate in front of said hopper discharge, a removableinclined chute wall, removably supported on the frame to inclose thelower half or portion of the wheel, and a conveyer arranged under saidchute wall, substantially as set forth.

5. In a machine of the class described, the frame having notchedsupporting cleats, at

'its front end and a horizontal supporting ledge above said cleats, avertical cutting wheel mounted within said frame, a removable chute wallinclosing the lower portion of said wheel and provided at its upper endwith a supporting flange adapted to rest upon said supporting ledge andbeveled side tongues removably resting in said cleats, and a conveyerarranged beneathsaid chute wall, substantially as set forth.

6. In a machine of the class described, the frame having supportingcleats at its front end provided with upper beveled ends and asupporting ledge above said cleats, the fixed rear chute wall dependingwithin said frame, the vertical cutting wheel mounted within the framein front of said wall, the removable front chute wall located in frontof said wheel and provided with a supporting flange adapted to rest onsaid ledge, beveled side tongues resting in upper ends of said cleatsand the oppositely downwardly convergent guard flanges arranged toinclose the opposite lower edges of the cutting wheel, and a conveyerlocated below said chute wall, substantially as set forth.

7. In a cider mill, the combination with the frame, the mill-ing deviceslocated at the top and at one end of said frame, and the pressurerollers; of the endless carrier apron mounted within the frame undersaid milling de- Vices, and having an inner elevated inclined portionleading to the inner extremity of its travel so as to dispose theextreme inner portion thereof between the pressure rollers at a pointnear the pointof contact of the same,

axially with respect to its point of support, Y

an opposite xed apron roller mounted between said pressure rollers neartheir point of contact, and an endless apron passing over said rollersfrom beneath the milling devices to between said pressure rollers,substantially as set forth.

9.v In a cider mill, the frame, the cutting wheel, the pressure rollersin rear of said cutting wheel, swinging bearing arms adjustably mounted.at one end of said frame and below the cutting Wheel, an apron rollerjournaled in said arms, and provided with oppositeend sprocket disks, anopposite spring supported apron roller mounted between said pressurerollers near the point of contact, and an endless apron passing oversaid rollers and having side sprocket belts passing said rollersprockets substantially as set forth. Y

10. In a cider mill, the frame, the cutting wheel at. one end of saidframe, pressure rollers mounted within the frame and carrying meshinggears connected with suitable driving gear, a gear shaft mounted withinsaid frame and carrying a gear wheel meshing with the lower roller gear,opposite swinging bearing arms loosely mounted at their lower ends uponsaid gear shaft to be radially adjustable thereon, a front belt rollerjournaled in said arms and carrying a pinion meshing with said gearwheel and opposite sprocket IOO disks having beveled tongues, anopposite belt roller mounted between said pressure rollers and anendless carrier belt or apron passing over said roller and having sidesprocket belts engaging said sprocket disks, substantially as set forth.

l1. In a cider mill, the combination with the frame, the cutting devicesand pressure rollers, of the front swinging apron roller adj ustablymounted within the frame below said cutting devices, an opposite springsupported IIO apron roller arranged between said pressure rollers, anendless apron passing over said opposite apron roller and a guide rollermounted between said apron rollers under the top of the belt to hold thesame in close proximity to the upper pressure roller, substantially asset forth.

y12. In a cider mill, the combination with the frame, the cuttingdevices at one end of the frame and the pressure rollers, of oppositenotched brackets on opposite sides to the frame, horizontal bearing armspivoted at one end of the frame and moving in said brackets to supportsaid arms, a rear apron roller j ournaled in said arms and arrangedbetween the pressure rollers, an opposite adjustable apron roller at thefront end of the frame, an endless apron passing over said rollers andan intermediate guide roller elevating the top of the apron near thelower portion of the upper roller, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination of the frame having slotted side pieces, oppositeside plates facing said side pieces and having slots registeringtherewith, guide recesses back of said slots and anges at their upperends, the fixed lower pressure roller, bearing blocks sliding in saidguide recesses and projecting through the slots in the plates, thevertically adjustable upper pressure roller journaled in said blocks,tubular spring housings arranged above said blocks, springs mounted insaid housings and bearing on said blocks, adjusting screws workingthrough said flanges and bearing on the upper ends of said springs,

adjustable scrapers contacting with both of i said rollers, the cutters,and a carrier passing from the cutters to the pressure rollers,substantially as set forth.

14. In a cider mill, the combination with the frame and the upper andlower pressure rollers, of the trough board provided at one end with aprojecting collecting strip tightly resting on the front of the lowerpressure roller, converging trough strips converging from saidcollecting strip to the front of the frame, and fulcrum blocks adaptedto bear under suitable points of contact, a notched supporting blocksecured to the front and one side of the frame and a swinging supportingbar pivoted at one end to the opposite front side of said frame andadapted to swing under the outer end of said trough and have its otherend rest in said supporting block, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto ailixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JESSE BOVEN.

Witnesses:

FRANK E. SHUE, D. P. WoLI-IAUPTER, Jr.

